Acid reflux is known for the pain and discomfort that it can bring. Thankfully, there is lots of knowledge on how to combat acid reflux. This article is going to help you with managing this condition.
Stay away from acidic foods. They can both cause and exacerbate acid reflux. While this is by no means a comprehensive list, try to avoid oranges, tomatoes, grapefruit and vinegar. If you can’t cut them out of your diet completely, at least try to avoid eating them in the evenings, so acid reflux doesn’t strike when it is time for bed.
It is important to avoid vigorous exercise if you deal with GERD. When you are compressing the stomach violently, you’ll find that acid makes its way up into your esophagus. Instead, engage in moderate activity which helps you lose weight, stay in shape and yet ensures that acid stays where it belongs.
When your symptoms are at their worst, mix 1 teaspoon of regular baking soda with eight ounces of water. Drink this slowly, one sip at a time, until your symptoms subside. Do NOT do this every day as baking soda contains a great deal of sodium which can lead to a myriad of other health problems.
Contracting the abdominal muscles can make food that is in your stomach to make its way back into the esophagus. This is why you need to wait until at least one hour after eating before you attempt to do any physical exercise. You should also avoid any other types of physical exertion directly after meals.
Keep a journal. If you can track when and what you are doing when you have an acid attack, you might be able to alter your life to eliminate those attacks. Write down what you eat, what you have done that day and if you have had any discomforts. You may be surprised at what you find and how easy it is to eliminate some of your problems.
There is a drug called phenylalanine and it is found inside of most over-the-counter antacids. If you have acid reflux and you also have mental retardation and/or seizures, you should not take them. This is because the phenylalanine will make you more prone to having seizures. Talk to your doctor about other options.
Exercise daily to help reduce acid reflux. These exercises should be low impact exercises such as walking. Gravity is known to help decrease the odds of acid reflux; therefore, go for a walk after eating to lessen the effects of stomach upset and increased stomach acids. Exercising will also help you lose weight which will aid in reducing acid reflux.
If you often have acid reflux, avoid drinking during your meals. A glass of water will add to the volume of food in your stomach and make digestion harder. You should wait until you are done digesting to drink and avoid drinking just before having a meal or a snack.
Try to eat smaller meals if you suffer from acid reflux. Sitting and eating large meals can contribute to the pain associated with acid reflux. Eating smaller meals will reduce the amount of acid your stomach has to produce to digest your food. This means that your stomach will work less and you will not have as much pain.
Try to create separation between your workout regimen and the meals that you eat during the day. It is important to give your body this rest so that it can rehabilitate from your intense session of working out. This time will give your stomach the opportunity to become strong so that it can break down your food efficiently.
One way to help your body combat acid reflux is by increasing your intake of certain amino acids, one of which is called glutamine. Glutamine can be found in certain foods such as eggs, fish, spinach, milk and a variety of different foods. Increasing your intake of these types of foods will help you combat your acid reflux.
Eating smaller, more frequent meals is great for acid reflux sufferers. The first thing this change does is boosts your metabolism. The second benefit is that your stomach won’t become huge like when you eat a larger meal, so less pressure will be placed on it, ensuring food and acid don’t pass back up your esophagus.
Keep your gastric juices flowing in the right direction by taking a walk after a meal. Relaxing on the couch or laying down immediately after a meal can hinder the digestive process and bring about problems like reflux. Instead, opt for a brisk walk and wait at least two hours before laying down.
Clearly acid reflux interferes with the activities of daily living tremendously. With some time spent studying the subject, it is definitely possible for anyone to make acid reflux pain a thing of the past. Revisit the tips and guidance found above as needed to get a handle on the condition once and for all.
